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Josiane Balasko
Balasko, aged 64
Balasko in 2014
Born
Josiane Balašković

(1950-04-15) 15 April 1950 (age 75)
Paris, France
Occupation Actress, comedian, director, writer
Years active 1973–present
Spouse(s)
(m. 2003)
Partner(s) Bruno Moynot (1974–1981)
Philippe Berry (1982–1999)
Children 2, including Marilou Berry
Relatives
  • Richard Berry (brother in law)
Awards César Award for Best Writing
1996 French Twist
Honorary César
2000 Lifetime Achievement

Josiane Balasko (born Josiane Balašković; 15 April 1950) is a famous French actress, writer, and director. She has been nominated seven times for the important César Awards (which are like the French Oscars!) and has won twice. She is known for her funny roles and for directing her own movies.

Josiane Balasko's Acting Journey

Josiane Balasko has had a long and exciting career in movies and theater. She is well-known for her many different roles, from comedies to more serious films.

Starting Out: 1970s and 1980s

Josiane Balasko began her acting career in 1973 when she was 23 years old. Her first appearance was in a short film called L'Agression. Soon after, she appeared in the movie L'an 01. In 1976, she was in the film The Tenant, directed by Roman Polanski.

The year 1977 was a very busy one for Josiane, as she appeared in seven films! She played Simone in "Une fille unique" and had a role in Animal, which was a big hit in France. She also appeared in Pardon Mon Affaire, Too!, another successful movie. She played Nadine in This Sweet Sickness and also acted in Monsieur Papa. She even had a small, uncredited role in the popular Disney movie Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, which was a huge success worldwide.

In 1978, Josiane continued to act in comedies like "Si vous n'aimez pas ça, n'en dégoûtez pas les autres" and "Les Petits Câlins". She took on a main role in the comedy "Pauline et l'Ordinateur", where she also helped write the dialogue. A very important role for her was Nathalie Morin in the popular comedy Les Bronzés. This movie became a cult film, meaning it was very popular and had a dedicated fan base.

In 1979, she played Nathalie Morin again in the sequel, Les Bronzés font du ski, which was also a success.

Directing and More Success: 1980s and 1990s

Josiane Balasko en octobre 2013
Josiane Balasko in October 2013 in Namur

The 1980s were very successful for Josiane Balasko. In 1981, she starred in the hit comedy Men Prefer Fat Girls, which she also helped write. She then appeared in Le Maître d'école, another popular film, and Hotel America.

In 1982, she was in another cult movie, Santa Claus Is a Stinker. In 1983, she had two more comedy hits: Gramps Is in the Resistance and Signes extérieurs de richesse.

Josiane Balasko made her debut as a director in 1985 with the comedy Sac de noeuds. She not only directed it but also wrote and starred in it! This marked a new chapter in her career, showing her talent behind the camera as well.

One of Josiane Balasko's most famous roles for people who speak English was in the 1995 film French Twist. She played a lesbian character in this comedy. She won a César Award for best screenplay (which means the script she wrote) for this movie and was also nominated for best director. The movie itself was nominated for best film.

Other movies where she was nominated for a César Award for best actress include Too Beautiful for You (1989), Not Everybody's Lucky Enough to Have Communist Parents (1993), and That Woman (2003).

Recent Years: 2000s to Present

Since the 1990s, Josiane Balasko has continued to be very busy, acting in many different kinds of films. In 2006, she reunited with the cast of Le Splendid for another Bronzés film, Bronzés 3: Amis pour La Vie.

In 2018, Josiane Balasko even recorded a song with the rapper Mac Tyer for his album. In February 2019, she received the Crystal Comedy Award at a film festival in Belgium, celebrating her amazing career in comedy.

Josiane Balasko's Family Life

Josiane Balasko has two children. Her daughter, Marilou Berry, born in 1983, is also a well-known actress. She also has an adopted son named Rudy Berry, born in 1988. In 2003, Josiane married American actor George Aguilar, whom she met while working on a movie in 1999.

Movies and Shows (Filmography)

As an Actress

Year Title Role Notes
1973 The Year 01
1976 The Tenant Viviane
An Unusual Girl Simone
1977 Pardon Mon Affaire, Too! Josy
This Sweet Sickness Nadine
Animal Supermarket Girl
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo Uncredited
Monsieur Papa
1978 French Fried Vacation Nathalie Morin
The Little Wheedlers Corinne
Pauline et l'Ordinateur Pauline
Si vous n'aimez pas ça, n'en dégoûtez pas les autres A spectator
Like a Turtle on Its Back
1979 French Fried Vacation 2 Nathalie Morin
Heroes Are Not Wet Behind the Ears A client
1980 Les Quatre Cents Coups de Virginie Emma-Ammé TV Mini-Series
1981 Men Prefer Fat Girls Lydie Langlois
Le Maître d'école Mrs. Lajoie
Hotel America Colette
Clara et les Chics Types Louise
1982 Santa Claus Is a Stinker Madame Musquin
1983 Signes extérieurs de richesse Béatrice Flamand
Gramps Is in the Resistance The pharmacist
1984 P'tit Con Rolande
La smala Simone
The Vengeance of the Winged Serpent Jackie
1985 All Mixed Up Anita
Slices of Life Madame Dupuis
1986 Nuit d'ivresse Frède
The Joint Brothers Aline
1987 Lady Cops Insp. Mireille Molineux
1988 Without Fear or Blame Handmaid
Une nuit à l'Assemblée Nationale The journalist
1989 Too Beautiful for You Colette Chevassu
1991 My Life Is Hell Leah Lemonier
The Professional Secrets of Dr. Apfelgluck The scientist
1993 Not Everybody's Lucky Enough to Have Communist Parents Irène
Shadow of a Doubt Sophia
1994 Dead Tired Herself
1995 French Twist Marijo
1997 Didier Madame Massart
Arlette Arlette Bathiat
1998 Un grand cri d'amour Gigi Ortega
1999 The Frenchman's Son Suzanne
2000 The Libertine Baroness Holbach
Actors André Dussollier 2
Chicken Run Bernadette French Voice
2001 A Crime in Paradise Lucienne Braconnier
Absolutely Fabulous Edith "Eddie" Mousson
2002 The Race Madame Jo
2003 That Woman Michèle Varin
2004 Madame Édouard Nina Tchitchi
2005 The Ex-Wife of My Life Marie-Pierre Sarrazin
It's Our Life! Blanche Delhomme
I Saw Ben Barka Get Killed Marguerite Duras
2006 French Fried Vacation 3 Nathalie Morin
David Nolande Sofia TV series (1 Episode)
2007 The Red Inn Rose Martin
The Key Michèle Varin
2008 A French ... Irène
Ruby Blue Stéphanie
A Day at the Museum Mother in Chanel
Françoise Dolto, le désir de vivre Françoise Dolto TV movie
2009 The Hedgehog Renée Michel
Park Benches Solange Renivelle
Neuilly Yo Mama! School's director
2010 Holiday Christiane Mercier
2011 A Happy Event Claire
Beur sur la ville Mamie Nova
2012 Sport de filles Joséphine de Silène
Maman Paulette Mine
Mes héros Olga
2013 Demi-soeur Antoinette Novack
2014 Aunt Hilda! Dolorès
Les Gazelles Brigitte
The law of Barbara Barbara Malo TV Mini-Series
2015 The Roommates Party Alexandra Leclère
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Josiane / Sarah TV series (1 Episode)
2016 Back to Mom's Jacqueline Mazerin
Arrête ton cinéma Brigitte
Joséphine, Pregnant & Fabulous Josephine's mother
Par tous les seins Voice Short
2017 Let the Sunshine In Maxime
The New Adventures of Cinderella Josépha
2018 Bécassine Mademoiselle Châtaigne
Volontaire Muriel Baer
J'ai perdu Albert Simone Le Couidec
Neuilly sa mère, sa mère ! Madame Bachelot
2019 All Inclusive Lulu
Les envoûtés Leonora Evesco
Beaux-parents Coline Rossi
15 Minutes of War Michèle Sampieri
By the Grace of God Irène Thomassin
Vous êtes jeunes vous êtes beaux Mona
Le Bazar de la Charité Madame Huchon TV Mini-Series
2020 L'esprit de famille Marguerite
La pièce rapportée Adélaïde Château-Têtard
2021 Tralala Lili Rivière
C'est la vie Dominique
Mes très chers enfants Chantal Blanc
Un tour chez ma fille... Jacqueline Mazerin
2023 Des mains en or Martha
2024 Captives Bobotte
When Fall Is Coming Not yet released Marie-Claude

As a Filmmaker (Director)

Year Title
1985 Sac de noeuds
1987 Les keufs
1991 My Life Is Hell
1995 French Twist
1998 Un grand cri d'amour
2005 L'Ex-femme de ma vie
2008 Cliente
2013 Demi-soeur

Top Movies by Box Office in France

Here are some of the movies starring or featuring Josiane Balasko that sold more than one million tickets in France:

Films Year France (tickets sold)
1 Les Bronzés 3: Amis pour la vie 2006 10,355,930
2 Papy fait de la résistance 1983 4,104,082
3 French Twist 1995 3,990,094
4 Animal 1977 3,157,789
5 Le Maître d'école 1981 3,015,596
6 Didier 1997 2,902,960
7 La vengeance du serpent à plumes 1984 2,663,303
8 Neuilly sa mère! 2009 2,517,140
9 Les Bronzés 1978 2,308,644
10 Back to Mom's 2016 2,198,341
11 Les Frères Pétard 1986 2,179,370
12 A Crime in Paradise 2001 2,137,829
13 Pardon Mon Affaire, Too! 1977 2,080,789
14 Too Beautiful for You 1989 2,031,131
15 Grosse fatigue 1994 2,015,230
16 Les hommes préfèrent les grosses 1981 1,931,038
17 Le Père Noël est une ordure 1982 1,582,732
18 Les Bronzés font du ski 1979 1,535,781
19 The Race 2002 1,456,267
20 Nuit d'ivresse 1986 1,381,464
21 Absolument fabuleux 2001 1,370,394
22 My Life Is Hell 1991 1,170,523
23 The Roommates Party 2015 1,169,659
24 Neuilly sa mère, sa mère! 2018 1,144,597
25 Signes extérieurs de richesse 1983 1,074,802
26 Les Keufs 1987 1,071,467

Theater Performances

As an Actress in Plays

Year Title Author Director
1970 La pipelette ne pipa pas Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko
1971-74 Quand j'srai grande, j'srai paranoïaque Josiane Balasko Vera Gregh
1972-74 Jeanne l'ébouriffée Catherine Dasté Catherine Dasté
1975 Silence là-dedans Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko
1976 Le Pot de terre contre le pot de vin Le Splendid Le Splendid
1976-77 Ginette Lacaze Coluche Coluche
Amour, coquillages et crustacés Le Splendid Le Splendid
1978-80 Bunny's bar Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko
1979-80 Le Père Noël est une ordure Le Splendid Le Splendid
1985–86 Nuit d'ivresse Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko
1988-89 L'Ex-femme de ma vie Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko
1992-94 Shirley Valentine Willy Russell Josiane Balasko
1995–97 Un grand cri d'amour Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko
2005-07 Dernier rappel Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko
2010–12 La nuit sera chaude Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko
2014–15 Un grand moment de solitude Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko
2016–18 The Woman Destroyed Simone de Beauvoir Hélène Fillières
2021-24 Un chalet à Gstaad Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko

Books Written by Josiane Balasko

Josiane Balasko is also a talented writer! Here are some of the books she has written:

  • 2004 : Cliente - This book was later made into a movie in 2008, which Josiane herself directed and starred in.
  • 2006 : Parano express
  • 2011 : La nuit sera chaude - This book was later turned into a play that was performed from 2011 to 2012.
  • 2019 : Jamaiplu

Awards and Nominations

Josiane Balasko has received many awards and nominations for her work in film. The César Award is France's national film award, similar to the Academy Awards (Oscars) in the United States.

Year Award Nominated work Result
1990 César Award for Best Actress Too Beautiful for You Nominated
1994 César Award for Best Actress Not Everybody's Lucky Enough to Have Communist Parents Nominated
1996 César Award for Best Writing French Twist Won
César Award for Best Film Nominated
César Award for Best Director Nominated
GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release Nominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film Nominated
Lumières Award for Best Screenplay Won
Palm Springs International Film Festival - Best Foreign Language Film Won
2004 César Award for Best Actress That Woman Nominated
2010 Women Film Critics Circle - Courage in Acting Award The Hedgehog Nominated
2020 César Award for Best Supporting Actress By the Grace of God Nominated

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Josiane Balasko para niños

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